Hi all,
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans generated 292 million tons of municipal solid waste in 2018, which is nearly 5 pounds per person per day. Although recycling and composting have increased significantly since the 1960s, there is still a need to divert more waste from landfills. Cities present unique challenges for waste diversion in that there are more multi-family buildings, where residents do not recycle as much as in single-family homes. Research suggests that the main hurdle to recycling more in multi-family buildings is structural, not behavioral (DiGiacomo et al., 2018; Rhodes et al., 2014; Wagner, 2011). In other words, more bins, convenient access, and clear signage are needed. However, once these structural provisions are in place, behavioral interventions need to take it a step further.
A 2023 study by researchers in the United States conducted 12 weeks of interventions in two multi-family buildings in New York City. In one building (n=372), residents received weekly comparative feedback in which their recycling habits were compared with those of their neighbors. In another building (n=602), residents received weekly non-comparative feedback with data about their building alone. The feedback was provided through graphic posters placed in the waste collection rooms on each floor in both buildings. Each poster included a combination of graphics and text, and they were designed to be almost identical to one another, except for the specific data. This facilitated the assessment of two different social norm intervention types.
Results? The study’s authors analyzed the volume of recycling per week, which was a total count of bags (plastic, glass, and metal) and bales (paper and cardboard) of recycling per building. They found that although modest, there was a statistically significant increase in recycling within the social comparative feedback building. In other words, comparing residents’ recycling habits to those of their neighbours increased their recycling rates. This study points to social norms as one avenue for closing the gap between intentions and behavior. Specifically, group norms may be an effective way to increase recycling in multi-family buildings. When individuals perceive themselves as being part of a group, this leads to higher levels of conformity in terms of group behavior (Constantino et al., 2022; Schultz, 2022; Vander Linden et al., 2015). For building managers, this might mean creating programs that encourage social cohesion. For example, organizing social events, gatherings, and community building activities, as well as engaging motivated residents who can serve as recycling leaders on their floor.
To read the full study, click here.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans generated 292 million tons of municipal solid waste in 2018, which is nearly 5 pounds per person per day. Although recycling and composting have increased significantly since the 1960s, there is still a need to divert more waste from landfills. Cities present unique challenges for waste diversion in that there are more multi-family buildings, where residents do not recycle as much as in single-family homes. Research suggests that the main hurdle to recycling more in multi-family buildings is structural, not behavioral (DiGiacomo et al., 2018; Rhodes et al., 2014; Wagner, 2011). In other words, more bins, convenient access, and clear signage are needed. However, once these structural provisions are in place, behavioral interventions need to take it a step further.
A 2023 study by researchers in the United States conducted 12 weeks of interventions in two multi-family buildings in New York City. In one building (n=372), residents received weekly comparative feedback in which their recycling habits were compared with those of their neighbors. In another building (n=602), residents received weekly non-comparative feedback with data about their building alone. The feedback was provided through graphic posters placed in the waste collection rooms on each floor in both buildings. Each poster included a combination of graphics and text, and they were designed to be almost identical to one another, except for the specific data. This facilitated the assessment of two different social norm intervention types.
Results? The study’s authors analyzed the volume of recycling per week, which was a total count of bags (plastic, glass, and metal) and bales (paper and cardboard) of recycling per building. They found that although modest, there was a statistically significant increase in recycling within the social comparative feedback building. In other words, comparing residents’ recycling habits to those of their neighbours increased their recycling rates. This study points to social norms as one avenue for closing the gap between intentions and behavior. Specifically, group norms may be an effective way to increase recycling in multi-family buildings. When individuals perceive themselves as being part of a group, this leads to higher levels of conformity in terms of group behavior (Constantino et al., 2022; Schultz, 2022; Vander Linden et al., 2015). For building managers, this might mean creating programs that encourage social cohesion. For example, organizing social events, gatherings, and community building activities, as well as engaging motivated residents who can serve as recycling leaders on their floor.
To read the full study, click here.
